Advice Needed V-Box blew up :(

I only realised last week Alex, I will still make the polar mount, but I do hope its the AZ/EL type/its software changeable, I will have to read up on that, anyhow I've hijacked your thread sorry, good luck with the repair :-).
 
Ho hum. The primary winding is open circuit :( (it's a two-pin plug, so no fuse to contend with) Didn't even bother plugging it in to test voltages.

What's annoying is that the main bit itself seems salvageable, because there are two separate areas on the PCB. One - 36v side, which failed - looks after driving the motor via relays and the other - 12v side, which is still intact (based on what burnt out and what didn't!) - looks after the programming side of things. Of course, with the primary winding O/C, there's no telling what damage was done to the 12v side - if any.

No markings on the transformer, so no idea what the replacement would be. And I wouldn't mind to replace it with a more reliable one - if such a thing exists (@digi247 ?)
 
Captain Jack said:
Ho hum. The primary winding is open circuit :( (it's a two-pin plug, so no fuse to contend with) Didn't even bother plugging it in to test voltages.

What's annoying is that the main bit itself seems salvageable, because there are two separate areas on the PCB. One - 36v side, which failed - looks after driving the motor via relays and the other - 12v side, which is still intact (based on what burnt out and what didn't!) - looks after the programming side of things. Of course, with the primary winding O/C, there's no telling what damage was done to the 12v side - if any.

No markings on the transformer, so no idea what the replacement would be. And I wouldn't mind to replace it with a more reliable one - if such a thing exists (@digi247 ?)
Click to expand...
Glad you didn't waste more time and expense ..
I doubt you will get hold of a suitable transformer replacement ...

But somewhere embeded in the winding is a thermal fuse ..
It's likely this has failed but rarely possible to dig it out and replace it..
In fact I have had situations in the past where such fuses have failed for no good reason on AV amps etc ..
Transformers should always be replaced ..but older amps ...are often unrepairable simply cos the manufacturer has discontinued support ...no spares available.
Such transformers are specific to the unit ..and cost £70 and upward.
You can do such thermal fuse fixes but at yer own risk ...certainly not for a paying customer.
The law is clear on this.
The risk of repeat failure and or fire is the reason.
So I have often been the bearer of bad news to an understandably irate customer..
cest la vie
VS
 
Unfortunately, I've already bought the parts! But.. the caps are bulging in my remaining V-Boxes, so I might as well use those to "upgrade" them.

Am now thinking about getting a remote controlled socket to turn the whole thing off when I am not there. Any suggestions?
 
Captain Jack said:
Unfortunately, I've already bought the parts! But.. the caps are bulging in my remaining V-Boxes, so I might as well use those to "upgrade" them.

Am now thinking about getting a remote controlled socket to turn the whole thing off when I am not there. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Somewhere on the forum is a thread about energy saving plugs which were available free for a while - they have an ir wand on them & you programme an unused button on a remote to cut power to them. Ours works very well to switch the portable tv in the bedroom off completely.
 
Nothing comes to mind Alex ...but I have all my Vboxes on one switched wall socket ...so one click turns'em all off ...when needed.
If you have more than one of the faulty Box ...
Don't bin it ..
One day you may be glad you have a kit of spares..
rgds
VS
 
I've got a super Jack vbox that I bought with the 1224 motor from hm-sat which always has had a buzzing noise and wonder if I can fix this?

only noticeable at night but reading this thread has got my interest in sorting it.
 
wod said:
I've got a super Jack vbox that I bought with the 1224 motor from hm-sat which always has had a buzzing noise and wonder if I can fix this?

only noticeable at night but reading this thread has got my interest in sorting it.
Click to expand...
The buzzing will almost certainly be due to the laminations passing through the transformer core ..
Very difficult to fix ...but often a spray with a good quality aerosol laquer ...whilst the transformer is warm then allowed to cool and cure...will reduce if not fix the problem..
rgds
VS

I've used Plastic Seal from Servisol successfully for this job in TVs in the past for transformer vibration..
good luck.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Servisol-...500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ed53144cc


You can also fit rubber pads/feet/spacers under the transformer bolts to reduce the vibration being transferred out of the case ...
This too might help ..though not neccessarily fix 100%
 
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Captain Jack said:
Ho hum. The primary winding is open circuit :( (it's a two-pin plug, so no fuse to contend with) Didn't even bother plugging it in to test voltages.

What's annoying is that the main bit itself seems salvageable, because there are two separate areas on the PCB. One - 36v side, which failed - looks after driving the motor via relays and the other - 12v side, which is still intact (based on what burnt out and what didn't!) - looks after the programming side of things. Of course, with the primary winding O/C, there's no telling what damage was done to the 12v side - if any.
Click to expand...

You could use a separate 12v supply (usual universal psu) to drive the programme side, the 36v supply could be derived from an old(er) external printer or laptop psu.
 
Channel Hopper said:
the 36v supply could be derived from an old(er) external printer or laptop psu.
Click to expand...
Another way ahead is to get variable DC 0-36V power supply to be able turn antenna with different voltage to reduce the noise.
 
Exactly the same problem happened to mine although it didn't smoke or smell, just the primary winding went OC. I searched high and low for a similar transformer and then some PSUs to replace it. Trouble was, all the replacements cost as much as buying a new V box so in the end that's what I bought!
 
I just fixed the humming noise by tightening up the screws that hold the transformer inside... It wasn't 100% tight.
 
Don't know why they don't use toroidal xfmrs in these boxes. Usually much quieter. Maybe some do?

When I first started in this hobby, before I went grey :eek:, I used a Pace MSP positioner with a toroidal , non-diseqc of course, but with the same voltage outputs (36V + 12V). No sign of distress during heavy use for some years.
 
Llew said:
Don't know why they don't use toroidal xfmrs in these boxes. Usually much quieter. Maybe some do?

When I first started in this hobby, before I went grey :eek:, I used a Pace MSP positioner with a toroidal , non-diseqc of course, but with the same voltage outputs (36V + 12V). No sign of distress during heavy use for some years.
Click to expand...
..and If you still have that Pace box ...the transformer could easily be grafted into one of the modern diseqc boxes ...to make a good'un
 
Vipersan said:
..and If you still have that Pace box ...the transformer could easily be grafted into one of the modern diseqc boxes ...to make a good'un
Click to expand...
Maybe VS. Depends on the transformer footprint of a vbox, but I suspect the circumference of the toroidal might be greater than the space available.
Wouldn't be any problem height-wise though.
 
Llew said:
Maybe VS. Depends on the transformer footprint of a vbox, but I suspect the circumference of the toroidal might be greater than the space available.
Wouldn't be any problem height-wise though.
Click to expand...
original rectangular txfr approx 6.5 cm x 7.8cm ...with the available space approx 10cm x 12cm ...problem though is the fact that the Gbox isn't a square ..so much of the lateral space is in an upwardly curving environment..
Possibly it could be mounted sloping ..
 
Vipersan said:
original rectangular txfr approx 6.5 cm x 7.8cm ...with the available space approx 10cm x 12cm ...problem though is the fact that the Gbox isn't a square ..so much of the lateral space is in an upwardly curving environment..
Possibly it could be mounted sloping ..
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity, I'll check the Pace one's dimensions. If I haven't cannibalized it for some project. ISTR using one such toroidal in a battery charger I made, but I don't think it was that one.
 
I. however, am/are 100% tight.

Hic.
 
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